DRI probe begins along with IPL 2013

The cricketing world is witnessing the razzmatazz filled T20 tournament, Indian Premier League’s sixth season. As much as the league has been followed for the edge-of-the-seat cricket encounters, it has been followed equally and avidly for controversies. With the beginning of the tournament’s sixth leg, a fresh controversy seems to be brewing up alongside this ipl schedule. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence of India had begun a probe regarding a case of evasion of custom duties.

The proposed culprit here is a Singapore based broadcasting firm which is a global supplier of HD broadcasting gear. The allegation is that the firm has brought in broadcasting gear into the country for the Indian Premier League and has not paid requisite custom duties under the shield of bringing in the broadcasting gear for demonstrational purposes. The ipl 6 broadcasting gear of this Singapore based broadcasting gear providing firm has been brought in the country through Free Trade and Warehousing Zones of Arshiya International which is based at Panvel in Maharashtra.

The DRI suspects mis-declaring of the firm and has plunged into an inquiry in this issue. As per the laws, no duty is invoked on any instrument brought in the country for demonstrational purposes; but however the commercial usage invites custom and excise duties along with Value Added Taxes. Hence, the suspected tax evasion goes to the tune of hundred crore Indian Rupees. It remains to be seen if this issue grows into a full blown controversy for ipl 2013 of remains subdued.